Search form

From the inaccessible depths of the terrestrial interior to the vast reaches of our galaxy, our planet and the natural systems surrounding it provide important clues to the course of our future. At MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), we persue research seeking to advance understanding of the fundamental controls on complex natural systems, and on the environmental challenges facing our world, while providing a new generation of scientific leaders with sufficient depth and breadth of knowledge to tackle the complex unsolved problems of our science.

Faculty and students work in a wide range of disciplines, including geology, geochemistry, geophysics, geobiology, atmospheric science, oceanography, astronomy and planetary science. The interdisciplinary nature of that research is a hallmark of the department; and, many faculty members work in more than one area. This gives EAPS the unique ability to tackle complex issues from local environments to planetary scales.

Faculty and students work in a wide range of disciplines, including geology, geochemistry, geophysics, geobiology, atmospheric science, oceanography, astronomy and planetary science. The interdisciplinary nature of that research is a hallmark of the department; and, many faculty members work in more than one area. This gives EAPS the unique ability to tackle complex issues from local environments to planetary scales.

Our alumni are important to us, and we encourage you to maintain your personal and professional ties with EAPS and MIT. There are many ways to get involved. Stop by Building 54 when you are in Cambridge, read our newsletters, EAPSpeaks and EAPS Scopeor join us for department events, including our annual receptions at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting and the Society for Exploration Geophysicists Annual Meeting. Take advantage of all the MIT Alumni Association has to offer by registering for an Infinite Connection account to use the online alumni directory and to set up e-mail forwarding for life. Whether you become active in a local MIT club or attend an alumni event in your area, you can remain connected with your peers and intellectually engaged with the Institute.

Driving

Please note. A permit is required for parking on the MIT campus. For more information, please contact Mr. Milardo at bmilardo@mit.edu prior to your visit.

From the North (I-95 or I-93)If you are heading south on I-93, follow I-93 into Boston then follow the I-93 instructions below. If you are heading south on I-95, take the I-93 South exit then follow the instructions from I-93. Alternatively, take the I-90 East exit from I-95 then follow the instructions from I-90.

From the South (I-95 or I-93)If you are heading north on I-93, follow I-93 (the Southeast Expressway) into Boston then follow the I-93 instructions below. If you are heading north on I-95, take the I-93 North exit then follow the instructions from I-93. Alternatively, take the I-90 East exit from I-95 then follow the instructions from I-90.

From the West (I-90) (Mass Turnpike)Follow I-90 east to Exit 18 (Cambridge/Brighton). Following the signs to Cambridge, cross the River Street Bridge, and turn right onto Memorial Drive. After crossing an arched overpass, take a left onto Vassar Street before the Hyatt; you can also take a left onto Audrey Street just past the Hyatt and then turn right on Vassar at the end of Audrey. Proceed down Vassar, crossing Mass. Ave. Follow the directions in the 2nd paragraph under "From Route I-93."

From Route I-93From I-93, take Exit 26, and follow the signs to Back Bay along Storrow Drive West, approximately 1.5 miles, to the exit for Route 2A. The exit will be on the left, just before the Harvard Bridge (more appropriately called the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge). The Charles River will be on your right. As you cross the bridge, you will be looking at MIT: the Great Dome and academic facilities are on the right, the dormitories and athletic facilities are on the left. Proceed north on Mass. Ave. passing through the two sets of traffic lights in front of MIT buildings. Turn right at the next traffic onto Vassar Street.

Stata Center Garage: Entrance is at the east end of Vassar, on the right (south) side of the street. Permit Required

Hayward Annex Lot: Turn right at the end of Vassar Street onto Main Street. After passing through the intersection, turn right into the parking lot. Permit Required

Public Transportation - MBTA ("The T")

SubwayBy train, take the Red Line to the Kendall/MIT Station or to the Central Square Station, both of which are a short walk from the campus. The walk from Central Square takes about 10 minutes and takes you right down Massachusetts Avenue. The Kendall/MIT Station is on Main Street at the eastern edge of the campus. As soon as you enter a major MIT building you can get to the other buildings via basement tunnels and above-ground connectors without going outside.

BusThe #1 or Dudley bus stops at MIT on Massachusetts Avenue and provides transportation to Central Square and Harvard Square. The MIT stop is at a large crosswalk with a stoplight. On one side of the street are steps leading up to large Ionic columns and the Small Dome of MIT, on the other side of the street is the Stratton Student Center and Kresge Oval (an open, grass-covered area).

From Logan Airport

TaxiTaxi fare from Logan Airport is about $25-$30. During non-rush hour, the taxi ride will take about 15 minutes. During rush hour, the ride could take 30 minutes.

SubwayThe bus/subway ride from Logan Airport involves a transfer. From any terminal at Logan, take the Silver Line bus (SL1-confirm with driver) to South Station where you will find a subway station for the Red Line of MBTA. Take the outbound train toward Alewife to Kendall/MIT. Under normal conditions, the ride will take about 30 minutes.

CarThe drive from Logan Airport can be rather nasty, depending on traffic conditions. Take the main exit from the airport (not the Ted Williams Tunnel) and follow the signs toward Boston via the Sumner Tunnel. The tunnel toll is $2. As you exit the tunnel, turn right onto the Expressway northbound (93 North). Take the second exit, marked "Storrow Drive West." Immediately take the right fork of the road to a stoplight. Turn left, then immediately turn right and drive over the Charles River. The Boston Museum of Science will be on your left. Turn left at the next stoplight onto Memorial Drive. Follow Memorial Drive for about a half mile and MIT will be on your right side. Take the exit for Mass. Ave, Cambridge, turning right onto Mass. Ave. Proceed north on Mass. Ave. passing through the two sets of traffic lights in front of MIT buildings. Turn right at the next traffic onto Vassar Street.

Stata Center Garage: Entrance is at the east end of Vassar, on the right (south) side of the street. Permit Required

Hayward Annex Lot: Turn right at the end of Vassar Street onto Main Street. After passing through the intersection, turn right into the parking lot. Permit Required